New Resources to Fund & Sustain Prevention EffortsPreventing violence affecting youth is a long-term commitment, and many cities in the California Cities Gang Prevention Network have secured funding to sustain progress over years and not just months.

Case Studies and Analysis of Local Funding Strategies (pdf) includes recommendations, such as pooling money from multiple sources to support comprehensive strategies. This report also provides examples of innovative ways cities have generated funds, such as through ballot initiatives or licensing and registration fees.

In addition to funding, sustaining prevention strategies sometimes means changing how city governments do business. Promising Developments for Sustainability of Local Efforts (pdf) describes how some cities are collaborating more closely with county government, or have aligned strategies to prevent violence with those that promote early literacy and comprehensive family services.

“Safety in All Policies” in the National Prevention Council Action Plan Creating communities free of violence and injury is a priority in the first-ever National Prevention Council Action Plan, and the Surgeon General affirmed the importance of this work at the June 13 event in Sacramento. The Action Plan calls on 17 federal departments to consider health and safety in their work and to collaborate more closely. The “Safety in All Policies” approach can be replicated at the local level. See pages 35, 36, 39-41 of the Action Plan to learn how the transportation, labor, health and human services, and other sectors can prevent violence and promote well-being.

Join UNITY at NACCHO Annual ConferencePublic health adds value to efforts that address youth violence, and city and county health departments have a unique role. Join UNITY to learn about innovative prevention approaches in St. Paul, Minn., and other cities. This NACCHO Annual Conference panel also features the director of the Division of Violence Prevention, Howard Spivak, who will present on national trends and activities for preventing violence at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more on public health contributions to addressing violence, read the latest UNITY Fact Sheet.

Also watch “The Interrupters” documentary on July 11 at 7 p.m. to learn about the street outreach and violence interruption work of Chicago CeaseFire, a UNITY partner. For details, see the preliminary conference agenda.

A Prevention Institute initiative, UNITY is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in part by The Kresge Foundation. For more information,
visit www.preventioninstitute.org/unity

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control honors UNITY Co-Chairs Deborah Prothrow-Stith and Larry Cohen for their vision and outstanding leadership in preventing violence. Congratulations to Deborah, Larry and many others who have shaped the field over the last 20 years and continue to inspire us. Visit the Injury Center website for more on its 20th anniversary celebration.

The Safe and Successful Youth Initiative is just one example of how state health departments can partner with other agencies to promote population health. Read pages 6 and 7 of this publication to learn the role of state health agency in preventing violence throughout Massachusetts. For additional recommendations from state health officials on preventing violence, see the UNITY meeting synthesis Advancing State Efforts to Prevent Urban Violence.